Hammond takes Testrow medal

Bunbury’s defensive lynchpin Amy Hammond was awarded the 2019 Testrow Medal at Kelly Park on Saturday night.

It was a fitting reward for Hammond, who helped inspire the Bulldogs to become one of the most miserly defences across the entire competition.

But in a remarkable twist of fate, Hammond was not initially planning to attend the SWNFL’s night of nights.

“I was not actually planning on going,” she said.

“But the girls told me I needed to be there so I knew our team was getting something. But I did not think I was going to receive anything.

“And as the votes went up I was shocked. I could not believe it, so it was a very exciting night.”

Hammond, who plays predominantly in either goal defence or goalkeeper, routinely has to perform her best against some of the competition’s best offensive threats. It was therefore somewhat fitting Hammond and Carey Park goal shooter Kennedy Tupaea went head to head for the majority of the count.

“I still cannot believe I took it out,” she said. “I thought I had a good season, but I thought there were a lot more other players who did as well.”

A family-oriented person, Hammond will be out of action next season, however plans to return to the Bulldogs. “I am taking a break next year as my partner and I are building a house,” she said. “But I am definitely coming back for sure.

“I do not plan on giving up netball anytime soon.”

The Bulldogs finished the home and away season on top of the ladder with an 11-2 record, before defeating Carey Park in the second semi-final and Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault in the grand final.

Delighted with how her team played throughout the season, Hammond believes ECU Souwest Jets representative Sarah Leitch did a fantastic job as a player-based coach.

“Sarah was not only great in getting our fitness up but also with tactics,” she said.